tarot and psychology

Remnants and Potential

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and I finally managed to actually get in a meditation uninterrupted.  Well, other than by Miss Luna coming to join me. I don’t consider that an interruption, though.

Tarot of the SidheToday’s draw is the Dreamer Five (Five of Swords) which is traditionally an interpretation of the dynamic between triumph and defeat.  That is to say, that it can at times represent triumph over adversity and taking the “spoils of war” for oneself, but can just as easily represent being on the other end of that battle and its results.

What stands out to me in this card is something that I’ve noticed in a number of the cards in this deck in the past.  That is to say, that the interpretations in the key words and in the imagery depicts a more “reversed” interpretation of some of the cards.

Here in this image, a Fae cuts off its own wings, which trail from his fist while they still hold the bloody knife in the other hand.  They have lost whatever battle against themselves was raging within them, and sacrificed their wings in the depths of their defeat.

Today’s card is a reminder not to “throw the baby out with the bathwater”.   Yes, sometimes shit happens.  Sometimes it feels like it’s time to give up, or like you’ve reached the end of your rope.  But don’t just blindly accept that everything is lost without actually taking score and really paying attention to what is left… and the potential that lies beyond that moment.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE SIDHE

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m plagued by anxiety.
Question: How can I heal my relationship with anxiety?

Tarot of the Dream Enchantress

Reading Summary:  Be mindful of when anxiety is stealing away my time (Seven of Swords and lean on my inner strengths (Strength) and those things that need to be done to bypass the anxiety reaction and leave it in the dust (Eight of Wands).

Side Note:  I forgot how much I love this deck. I really need to pull it out more often.

Take Away:  This is about awareness and distraction.  It’s important to stay in touch with my anxiety levels and be aware of when they spike. Then, use distraction tactics combined with my ability to “stand strong in the storm” to get myself through those anxiety moments and out the other side unscathed.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE DREAM ENCHANTRESS

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Write something free form inspired by the cards.

Sacred Rose TarotThere was once a husband that was positive being single would be better than being married (Two of Swords) and insisted on taking a break from his marriage (Four of Swords).  His friends praised this decision and gave him many pats on the back for having claimed his independence (Six of Wands), and for a while he was very happy and had a lot of fun (The Sun).

Soon, that fun wasn’t enough, though, and he wanted more. He upped the stakes on those things he enjoyed again and again, each time he became bored, he sought out even better experiences and more enjoyment than he had before. (The Devil)

Reckoning came when he ended up losing everything (The Wheel of Fortune).  The rose colored glasses were ripped from his eyes and he saw what a mess he’d made.  He realized he was chasing a dream, and was fortunate to be wise enough to learn from his mistakes instead of repeating them (The Hierophant).

He reached out to his estranged wife and apologized, offering not just his apologies but sincere words about how very much she means to him and how much life sucked without her (Six of Pentacles).  Although they agreed that he had a lot to make up for, in the end she decided to take him back and he happily slipped back into the role of being king of the castle once more (King of Pentacles).

DECK USED:  SACRED ROSE TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: In what way can the element of Water help me right now?

Encore Tarot

Reading Summary: Allowing my heart and my intuition to have a say in decisions (Seven of Cups) concerning where to be generous with my resources (Six of Coins) and with my time (Three of Cups).

Take Away:  I often feel the need to offer resources and/or time to different needy causes. When I logic my way through it, I talk my way out of it… which in one way protects my own interests, but it leaves me feeling a bit guilty, to be honest.  The cards here indicate that the elemental energies of water can help me in making good choices that produce a less guilt-ridden results.

DECK USED:  ENCORE TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What do I love about my world?

Odd Hand Tarot

Reading Summary: I have someone to help guide me forward on my emotional growth and in learning how to give my emotions freedom (Knight of Cups). I’m good at what I do (Eight of Pentacles) and I know where my strengths lie (King of Swords and Strength).

Take Away:  I was a little confused at first with these cards, until I realized that the question is asking about my world… not the world.  The things in my world that make me happy and that I love include Gideon and his guiding hand in the emotional side of my life.  I love that I’m skilled at what I do and have found a way to make the things I enjoy more than just hobbies.  I also love how well set I am in knowing who I am and how I tick, what things are right for me… and how to say no to the things that aren’t.

DECK USED:  ODD HAND TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Connection and Clarity

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“I’m working my way through The Witching Way Of Hollow Hill and it’s amazing– so this week’s divination prompt is based off of where I’m at in that book. Please note that I’m not advocating for any one spiritual framework here– substitute in whatever words work best for you! Chat with your divination tools this week about connection and clarity.”

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In what ways do I experience connection and clarity within my spiritual reality?
Two of Clubs – Heartsease

The Wild Pansy is a gentle flower filled with love and luck. Combined with the Two of Clubs, it indicates that the ways in which I connect with my spiritual reality and find clarity there is through a sense of duality and direction upon my path.  By being aware of all of the options open to me and allowing my intuition to be my guide in this area, my path is always clearly stretched out before me, and there is no hesitation or confusion concerning if I’m headed in the right direction.

In what ways do I close myself off from, or am unaware of, that reality?
Seven of Spades – Wood Anemone

Wood Anemone is a flower of the duality between anticipation and relaxation.  In this card it is combined with the Seven of Spades, which indicates that I spend too much time pushing forward instead of meandering upon my chosen path and enjoying the journey.  This constant push steals away both my enjoyment of the journey and my anticipation of what each new step might bring, as long as the easy relaxation that such a journey could… and perhaps should include.

How should I go about becoming aware of that reality?
Three of Diamonds – Harebell

The Scottish Bluebell holds within it the qualities of humility and constancy, and is strongly associated with glen sprites and forest Fae.  Here, it is combined with the Three of Diamonds, which speaks of coming together in harmonious collaboration to reach a goal.  The suggestion here is to open myself up to working with others, and the use of the Harebell in this instance leads me to understand that those “others” are in reference to my spirit guides.

Is this a good time to go looking for greater spiritual connection?
Queen of Diamonds – Meadow Buttercup

The Meadow Buttercup is a flower filled with youthful energy and enthusiasm.  Combined as it is with the Queen of Diamonds, there is an encouragement here to seek out the earth and her nurturing embrace and allow her to renew my sense of optimism.  Be open to allowing a shift in view, and let the sunshine in.  It is a very good time to seek out that deeper connection.

Or should I focus on the mundane for right now?
Ten of Diamonds – Policeman’s Helmet

One of the strongest qualities of the Policeman’s Helmet is the energy of impatience that it possesses.  The Ten of Diamonds blends this meaning into a desire for stability and fulfillment through security.  It tells me that I am already focusing on the mundane more than enough at this time, and pushing more in this area is simply an expression of impatience that will get me nowhere.  These mundane goals I desire to accomplish are not easily or quickly gained.  Enjoy the path… don’t rush.

DECK USED: FAMOUS WILDFLOWERS PLAYING CARD

Preparation and Strategy

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was one of the harp string meditations. It was relaxing but it was cut a little short by the phone ringing.  You can probably guess who was on the other end, yeah?   Anyway, the phone call kind of fucked with my zen, but at the same time?  I think that my meditation right before the call also helped me in dealing with her a bit better than usual.

Next World TarotToday’s draw is the Queen of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy in the area of one’s thoughts, logic, communication, and intellect.

This is a woman prepared.  That was the first thought that came to mind when I saw the imagery on this card this morning.  Not only does she have her sword and clearly appears to know how to use it, but she’s wearing sturdy boots, has her lunch box along as well as a bit of extra food on the side.  Colorful trillium shaped flowers blooming behind her combined with the delicate pink accents of her skirt speak of a secret softness mostly hidden, but she is focused and braced, ready for anything that comes her way.

What I see here is a message about preparation and organization (I mean, look at how neatly those fruit are lined up with the lunch box, yeah?)   It’s about having your ducks in a row, and being prepared for what is to come.

Even though I am taking a few days off, my mind is still turning over strategy and preparing for what is to come as the holiday rush creeps closer and closer.   I might not be putting my hands to work, but my mind is not so easy to restrain.  And maybe that’s okay, as long as I’m not pushing or stressing myself out.

That peek of softness also holds a second message in today’s card.  A reminder that even when you need to be on your guard, you don’t have to lose yourself in the process.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m plagued by anxiety.
Question: What is my anxiety trying to tell me?

Tabula Mundi in Minima

Reading Summary:  Life is cyclical but can often also be overwhelming (The Universe). Your emotions are just a little too close to the surface (imagery in the Queen of Cups). Take a step back and make sure you’re still on track and in control of your trajectory (Two of Wands).

Take Away:  My anxiety has actually been quite a bit better lately, but when it starts to spike, the message is usually one of three. It’s telling me that 1) I’m approaching a state of overwhelm, 2) it’s trying to tell me that my emotions are a little too close to the surface and that is causing me to be reactionary, or 3) I need to check in with my direction upon my path and make sure I’m still on track.

DECK USED:  TABULA MUNDI TAROT  IN MINIMA

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Use Your Logic With This / Use Your Intuition With This

Gypsy Palace TarotUse Your Logic With This – Ten of Pentacles – When planning for the future and preserving the stability in my life that is so important to me, it is important to apply logic to the equation and methods.  Reacting with emotion or impulsivity will not get me where I want to go, instead I need to strategize and use my mind and logic to get there.

Use Your Intuition With This – The Hermit –  Sometimes when I need to retreat and be with myself, it’s in reaction to hurt or emotional upheaval.  These are not the times it is healthy to take that alone time.   I need to listen not with my emotions or my pain for these times of retreat, but instead listen to my intuition and allow that to guide me to when it is healthy and beneficial to retreat.

DECK USED:  GYPSY PALACE TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: Fire, how can I attract exactly what I want to manifest?

Pride Tarot

Reading Summary: Be more open and free with my praise (The Messenger) for myself and others, while practicing acceptance (Three of Pentacles) of those things you don’t necessarily agree with concerning others (imagery in The Wheel of Fortune).

Take Away:  If I want to attract the things I want to manifest in life, I need to be kinder to myself and less judgemental of others.   Sometimes being close to others is a struggle for me, especially when certain qualities are displayed such as carelessness and immaturity.  The cards indicate that if I want to smooth out the bumps in the road before me, I need to understand that offering them praise for those things I agree with is okay, even while the things I disagree with keep me at a distance.

DECK USED:  PRIDE TAROT

Growth and Experimentation

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Today’s meditation was a shortie at only eight minutes long, primarily because I just couldn’t seem to convince the girls (including Miss Luna) to leave me alone long enough to get in a full meditation.  It was still quite nice, but at the same time, aggravating due to the interruptions.

Tarot of the Sidhe - Maker Princess - Page of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Maker Princess (Page of Pentacles) which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the areas of manifestation and creation, finances and resources, as well as hearth, health, and home.

The “Gift of Creativity” is a terrific prompt for this card, as is the Fae burdened with pregnancy.   The Page of Pentacles is a card filled with possibilities.  It indicates a time of learning, of growth, and of manifestation that is very eloquently expressed through the swollen belly of pregnancy… the ultimate act of manifestation.

This is the message of today’s card (not the pregnancy).  It’s about potential, and about allowing yourself to be open to learning and growing, so that  not just you grow, but your potential grows with you.

Whether you are creating another person, a piece of artwork, an opportunity for others, or your own comfortable nest… the act of manifesting something out of nothing is a miracle.  It takes growth and experimentation.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE SIDHE

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m struggling with boundaries in my relationships.
Question: How can I reframe the maintenance of boundaries as a necessary act of self-acceptance?

El Gran Tarot Esoterico

Reading Summary: To have joy (The Sun) you have to actually choose joy (Two of Swords) which means having faith (The Star) that that joy is OK and will lead to a good place (Four of Wands).

Take Away:  Sometimes you have to take a blind step forward in the direction you think is right.  For me, joy is like that. My background makes it hard for me to grasp that joy can lead to positive growth towards my goals.   It’s hard to understand this because I have always been taught both through my youth and experience, that when you want something?  You work for it.  To me, joy and “working for it” seem incongruous. So in order to have the things I want… a lack of joy is necessary.

The cards here indicate that is not the case, and that I need to take that blind step forward to embrace joy and have faith that it will lead me to the stability I want… joy included.

DECK USED:  EL GRAN TAROT ESOTERICO

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Where could I benefit from a new perspective at this time?

Anthro TarotReading Summary: If the uncertainty that’s coming actually happens (The Moon) you need to embrace it and move into it with purpose (Knight of Wands), because it might actually end up being a good thing in the end (Queen of Cups).

Take Away:  There is a possibility that having to move could put me into a position where I’m even happier and in a better, more emotionally strengthened position than the one I’m in now. Although the possibility is still a long way off, if it’s going to happen at all… if it does come to pass, I need to embrace what I see as an uncertainty and a hurdle as a challenge, and move forward with purpose.

In other words, stop looking at this as an upcoming catastrophe and push yourself towards seeing it as an opportunity.  If the rumors that you hear come to be something real and moving ends up being necessary, embrace that with open arms and move forward into the project with purpose.

DECK USED:  ANTHRO TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question:  What am I currently manifesting? What am I moving past?

Vivid Journey TarotWhat am I currently manifesting? – Knight of Wands – I’m working on taking control and actively preparing for the holiday rush to come.  Although at this moment, I’m taking a few days off, even now I’m planning and preparing, just in a less stressful or aggressive way.

What am I moving past? – Two of Swords – Prior to finally feeling the pull to start preparing for the holiday rush, I felt I was in a moment of limbo and struggling with a bit of lack of direction. Although I was aware of this, I wasn’t really paying much attention to it, but the Two of Swords is a very good representation of that momentary lack of direction.

DECK USED:  VIVID JOURNEY TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What do I love about me?

Alan Tarot

Reading Summary:   I am constantly fed by and inspired by (Ace of Hearts) my connection with the natural world and my spiritual path (The Star), which carries me forward with confidence in the direction I have chosen (Three of Clubs)

Take Away:  This is about my certainty upon my path.  It’s about knowing who I am and where I “fit”… and what fits for me. It’s about hearing that inner voice and following its guidance without fear of it being wrong or doubt in what it says.

I’ve never had a hard time in following that compass, or allowing myself to be pulled upon my spiritual path in the direction that feels right for me.  I see a lot of people struggle with these things, and I am extremely grateful that it is not one of my own personal struggles.

DECK USED:  ALAN TAROT

Everything is Temporary

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Today’s meditation was curtailed in preference for more sleep. I’m not recovering from the all-nighters the way that I used to.  I guess it’s one of those “getting older” signs that I can’t just bounce back the way I used to.   Instead of meditation, I chose to go with more sleep and more time with you.   Tomorrow, I’ll get back on track with the self care, but today?  I really just wanted to spend time with you and get through the crapload of mail that I’d picked up yesterday.  I’m happy with the fact that I was able to manage both of those things today.

Tarot of the Sidhe - Dancer EightToday’s draw is is the Dancer Eight (Eight of Cups) card, which is traditionally a representation of walking away from a bad situation, abandoning what isn’t working, or releasing emotional burdens.

I like the interpretation in the key words for this card.  “Escaping Stagnation” is a beautiful interpretation of the Eight of Cups.   The imagery here of the woman leaving the dead grey waters behind her in preference for a path towards life and the sun speaks strongly to me of climbing out of the dark pit of depression to once again be able to recognize and seek out the light.

Depression, at least in my case, is not a choice.  Although there is much I can do to stave it off and lessen its effects, the fact is that it isn’t a situational reaction but rather an imbalance.  When climbing out of a depression, it feels an awful lot like the sloughing off of shadows that cling to one’s form and weighs one down, just as in this image the gray mud may try to cling, but slowly releases and sloughs away as she pulls free of its grip.

The message here is one of encouragement.  A message to bolster the heart and mind and soul when things are feeling dark or overwhelming.

Everything is temporary… including the bad stuff.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE SIDHE

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Can we understand good without evil?

Tarot of WhyReading Summary:  Defenses up (Nine of Wands) in response to sloppy drunkenness (imagery in the King of Cups). A resting time for to gear up and recover from being overburdened (Knave of Wands), followed by depth of understanding through empathy (Queen of Cups).

Take Away:  No.  When we are approached by something unpleasant, we learn to create defenses, but we also grow, and through growth something good is born (empathy).  This is the pattern shown in these cards.

Although I’m sure that good can exist without evil, I do not think that humanity is able to understand good without the existence of evil.   The cards here speak of the things that create defensive feelings, and how we learn through growth.  None of this is possible without lessons to help us in learning, and one of those lessons is given through the contrast we find between good and evil.  

DECK USED:  TAROT OF WHY

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: How can focusing on creation support my path/journey?

Hero Analysis for the Future #79 MHA Tarot

Reading Summary:  Youthful enthusiasm (The Fool) kindles the fires of creative ownership (King of Wands) and create a sense of emotional fulfillment in my creative endeavors (Ten of Cups).

Take Away:  Focusing on creation instills a sense of eager enthusiasm in my life that feeds my creativity, swelling it to a point where my creative endeavors become consuming.  This process is a part of the secret to my success and the sense of fulfillment that I receive from what I do.

DECK USED:  HERO ANALYSIS FOR THE FUTURE #79 MHA TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What lesson do I need to learn?

Magic Tarot

Reading Summary: You can’t get nectar from a stump (imagery in the Ace of Wands).  Take what you’ve learned from the pain in your past (Ten of Swords) and compare it with the things in your life that make you happy now (Nine of Cups).  Allow this contrast to soothe you to into resting (Four of Swords).

Take Away:  I’m working too hard and I need to learn to truly rest.   To do this, it will be important to take a look at how far I’ve come and all that I’ve over come, and compare it with what I have now and what makes me happy in my life at this time.   In doing this, I can then allow this comparison to soothe my guilt over taking the rest that I need, and it will help in releasing me from the need to always be advancing.

DECK USED:  MAGIC TAROT

I Was a Jerk

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Today’s meditation was non-existent.  As anticipated, I pulled an all-nighter last night to get through my orders and get them out to be shipped today.  I then made the trip up north to check my mail and… god it was a long drive.  Even with J along to drive part of the way.

Getting home, even if I shaved a good hour off the trip by driving like a nutcase, all I could think about was sleep. So… yeah.  I slept.  A lot.  And there was no meditation.

Next World TarotToday’s draw is the King of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of today’s card is the expression on the woman’s face in the picture, and the lotus that she cups in her hands. She’s seen it all, she’s been beaten down and yet still has the strength to keep going, and the compassion to hold space and gentleness for the delicate lotus.

There is empathy here, and that is something that I really lacked today.  I’m so sorry about being a dick and making you cry. I love you so fucking much and just because I was tired and riding a bit of an anxiety wave is no excuse for treating you badly or being a jerk. I love you.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m struggling with boundaries in my relationships.
Question: What can I do to meet that need revealed in yesterday’s cards?

Monstarot

Reading Summary:  Own what you have done (King of Pentacles) with understanding (The Luminary) so that you can move forward (The World).

Take Away:  The need revealed in yesterday’s cards was about accepting the part that the past plays on our present and future instead of struggling against it.  Acceptance of this isn’t easy for me, but to meet that need head on I need to own my part in things and treat what has happened in the past with loving understanding and an open heart.  By not closing myself off to the influences of the past, I allow myself to move forward more smoothly into the future, and not end up stuck and stagnant.

DECK USED:  MONSTAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I best advance on what was revealed in yesterday’s cards?

Big Things In Small Packages TarotReading Summary: Allow others to help you in getting things done (Three of Pentacles) so you don’t end up stuck in place (Four of Pentacles). Their help will create the motivation you need (Knight of Wands) while taking off some of the pressure you’re putting yourself under (hot tub imagery in the Ace of Cups).

Take Away:  Sometimes, even the smallest of things can feel like it’s just too much.  That overwhelm can create stagnancy as you hesitate to move forward under the pressure that is real regardless of being all in your mind.  By inviting others in to help, it takes some of that pressure off of you, and allows things to move forward more smoothly, creating momentum in the process.

DECK USED:  BIG THINGS IN SMALL PACKAGES TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: Fire, when I am ready and willing to create, where do I begin?

Luminous Void Tarot

Reading Summary:  Make the choice (The Lovers) to go with what is familiar and what you are well versed in (King of Swords).  When you conquer these things (Five of Swords), it will give you confidence and success (Nine of Discs), as well as freedom to enjoy life rather than feeling under constant pressure (imagery in the Nine of Discs).

Take Away:  Although new ideas and projects are always shiny and tempting, sometimes when you start on a creative path, it’s the familiar things you do well that are more in need of your attention and more beneficial to your goals.  These familiar tasks are the path to success, even if you have to go to battle to get there.

DECK USED:  LUMINOUS VOID TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What inspires me?

Hilda Tarot

Reading Summary: Collaboration in that I need someone to tell me when something is a bad idea (Three of Pentacles) so that my creative juices flow towards (Six of Cups) opening up to better methods (Nine of Wands Rx).

Take Away: I’m inspired by roadblocks.  I’m inspired by those that give me constructive feedback that allows me to search for answers and grow instead of shut me down.  Being open and not defensive with those that help provide me with this type of feedback stoke the creative fire within me that allows me to stretch my creativity and abilities.

DECK USED:  HILDA TAROT